About dwarf women - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 01-13-2005, 06:19 AM

It is said in the appendixes of LotR about dwarf women:

Quote:

They are in voice and appearance, and in garb if they must go on a journey, so like to the dwarf-men that the eyes and ears of other peoples cannot tell them apart.

I understand the garb and even the voice, but appearance? Beard is an important part of the appearance of dwarf-men. So should we conclude that dwarf women have beards? (To me the idea sounds very stupid and un- Tolkien-like. I didn't like "Aragorn's" joke in the movie about dwarf women, I think it wasn't kind to the dwarves...) Or, if they haven't got beards, do they use false beards? (Sounds maybe even more stupid...) Or do they somehow hide their chin by scarfs and helmets? (A dwarf man using scarf around his face...?) Let's see what you think or know; I have no good answers...

Neithan · 01-13-2005, 08:11 AM

I have always assumed that they did have beards. In fact I thought that Tolkien explicitly stated this somewhere but maybe not.

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-13-2005, 08:22 AM

It is a little know fact that, unbeknownst to Bilbo, four of Thorin's company were in fact female.

Mithalwen · 01-13-2005, 11:25 AM

I must admit it surprised me ..... just tttooooooooooooooo wierd... but it is true and is in either UT or HoME .....I will check the ref... my guess would be "The Peoples of Middle Earth". I hate to think what Aule was thinking of..... I mean beards are horrible even on men...

Formendacil · 01-13-2005, 12:49 PM

Perhaps the likeness in appearance between dwarf men and women is due to the fact that other races (Elves, Men, Hobbits, etc..) were generally unaware that Dwarves REALLY liked their beards, and ALWAYS had them....

I mean, perhaps they occasionally saw a Dwarf without a beard, but simply thought it was a more civilised clean-shaven one? After all, the Dwarves were pretty secretive, so it's unlikely that they would have given away the secret...

That's the only thought I've got. Other than that, the only thought that comes to mind is that Dwarf women actually DID have beards, scary as the thought is...

Neithan · 01-13-2005, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Other than that, the only thought that comes to mind is that Dwarf women actually DID have beards, scary as the thought is...

It's scary for us, but we are not Dwarves.

Bêthberry · 01-13-2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

It is a little know fact that, unbeknownst to Bilbo, four of Thorin's company were in fact female.

Saucey, what could you be insinuating? Would Bilbo have behaved differently had he known? Would their presence, if known, have caused confusion and loss of focus? Is this an alternate RPG?

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-13-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Would Bilbo have behaved differently had he known?

Who can tell? Gandalf and the other Dwarves treated them no differently, so possibly not. The fact is that, being a little hard of hearing, Bilbo simply misheard their names when Felicity, Kayleigh, Dora and Nora introduced themselves to him. The rest, as they say, is fantasy ...

Petty Dwarf · 01-13-2005, 11:18 PM

Yes, dwarf women had beards. They also, like dwarf-men, had enormous breasts.

Dragon Reborn · 01-21-2005, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

It is a little know fact that, unbeknownst to Bilbo, four of Thorin's company were in fact female.

Why did Tolkien not then address them as "shes"?

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-21-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon Reborn

Why did Tolkien not then address them as "shes"?

Well that's an easy one. The tale told in The Hobbit was written from Bilbo's perspective. And he never realised that the "hes" were in fact "shes".

01-13-2005, 08:11 AM	#2
Neithan Wight Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 126	I have always assumed that they did have beards. In fact I thought that Tolkien explicitly stated this somewhere but maybe not. __________________ If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right. Men will believe what they see.~Henry David Thoreau

01-13-2005, 08:22 AM	#3
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	It is a little know fact that, unbeknownst to Bilbo, four of Thorin's company were in fact female. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

01-13-2005, 11:25 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,459	I must admit it surprised me ..... just tttooooooooooooooo wierd... but it is true and is in either UT or HoME .....I will check the ref... my guess would be "The Peoples of Middle Earth". I hate to think what Aule was thinking of..... I mean beards are horrible even on men... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-13-2005, 12:49 PM	#5
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,326	Perhaps the likeness in appearance between dwarf men and women is due to the fact that other races (Elves, Men, Hobbits, etc..) were generally unaware that Dwarves REALLY liked their beards, and ALWAYS had them.... I mean, perhaps they occasionally saw a Dwarf without a beard, but simply thought it was a more civilised clean-shaven one? After all, the Dwarves were pretty secretive, so it's unlikely that they would have given away the secret... That's the only thought I've got. Other than that, the only thought that comes to mind is that Dwarf women actually DID have beards, scary as the thought is... __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

01-13-2005, 11:18 PM	#9
Petty Dwarf Animated Skeleton Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Nulukkhizdīn Posts: 41	Yes, dwarf women had beards. They also, like dwarf-men, had enormous breasts. __________________ Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul?